From Monday 29^th March we will be allowed to re-start cycling events and activities as part of the Government easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

What that means for Ipswich Bicycle Club

We can participate in organised events such as road time trials, road races, mountain biking, cycle speedway, track racing, cyclo-cross and Sportives. Full British Cycling guidance for organisers and participants can be found here Our-plan-to-resume-cycling-events-and-activities

For Group and Club events we can resume the Saturday Social Rides. Full British Cycling guidance for this can be found here The_Way_Forward_-_Groups_and_Clubs_-_March_2021

Taking the aspects that are particularly relevant for SSR please note the following:

1.2.1 Appropriate social distancing must be maintained before, after and when not

actively participating in cycling activities.

1.2.2 British Cycling-affiliated Club rides or recreation programme rides, which

adhere to the guidance set out, can take place with up to 15

participants, on highways, trails and tracks. Informal riding (i.e., groups of friends

meeting to ride together) will still be limited to the Rule of Six.

Note: IBC Ride Leader guidelines suggest groups of no more than 10 and is at the Ride Leaders discretion on how comfortable they feel.

1.2.5 Social interaction before and after cycling activities should only take place

outdoors, and in separate and distinct groups consisting of up to six people or

two households.

2.1 Guidance for group and club rides

While many people will be keen to resume club and group activity it is imperative

that all participants set an example and follow these guidelines to ensure that the

risk of infection/transmission of the virus is minimised.

Strong hand hygiene should be practiced by all involved before, during and after

all cycling activity.

2.2 Before the activity

2.2.1 Participants must not attend a ride or session if they have Covid-19

symptoms, have someone in their household who does and are in the extremely

vulnerable category or if they have been asked to remain at home by the UK

Government test and trace system.

2.2.2 At this step of the Government’s roadmap, you should minimise time spent

outside your home, but you can leave your home to exercise and take part in

informal and organised sport and physical activity. You should always check that

it’s safe to travel before you set out to take part in cycling activities.

2.2.3 Carefully consider the risks when planning your route, avoiding busy areas

where possible, and consider how social distancing measures may impact on the

activity, including things like the areas where you start, stop or take a break.

2.2.4 Participants planning to attend a facility for a ride or session should check

if it is open and what additional Covid-secure measures are in place.

2.2.5 Consider the space needed for club activities, ensuring that participants

are able to maintain appropriate social distancing while not riding.

2.2.6 Where possible all bookings and consent forms should be completed

online prior to the session or activity. Where this is not possible clubs should write

down the details of participants.

2.2.7 Ensure all participants are aware of the safety guidelines and what is

expected before, during and after the activity, including what participants are

expected to do to maintain compliance with social distancing guidelines and all

other health, hygiene and safety guidelines.

2.2.8. Participants should not stay away from home overnight for sport and

physical activity.

2.3 During the activity

2.3.1 Participants must practice good respiratory hygiene during the activity

(i.e. coughing, sneezing into a tissue or the crook of an elbow).

2.3.2 Riders will be required to maintain a ‘one metre plus’ distance from others

while riding.

2.3.3 When riding two abreast, we advise that riders should aim to stay beside

the same rider for as much of the ride as possible

2.3.4 Clubs and groups which do not feel confident or comfortable riding in

groups of 15 at this stage are permitted and encouraged to set a lower limit which

is appropriate for their own circumstances.

2.3.5 Ensure all health and safety and emergency First aid guidelines are followed.

2.3.6 Participants must provide their own equipment and refreshments and avoid

sharing the like of water bottles and food.

2.3.7 Exercise within your personal physical and technical limitations to try and

avoid additional burden on the NHS and the First aiders present.

2.3.8 In line with government guidelines, masks or face coverings are not

required while taking part in cycling activities. All forms of face coverings may

restrict breathing efficiency and should not be used during exercise unless your

doctor advises it.

2.3.8 Refreshment stops are permitted, however at these points you should

default to the Government’s general guidance for social meetings and split into

wholly separate groups of no more than six riders. Individuals shouldn’t move

between different groups during your stop.

You should also make yourself aware of and adhere to all other guidance put in

place by the establishment.

2.4 After the activity

2.4.1 Participants should wash/sanitise their hands after the session.

2.4.2 Participants leaving the activity must maintain social distancing.

2.4.3 If a participant or coach develops Covid-19 symptoms within two days of

taking part in British Cycling activity, they should first ensure that they follow NHS

Test and Trace guidance. This means self-isolating, booking a test and informing

NHS Test and Trace of relevant contacts if the test is positive. They should also

inform the Club, leader or coach so that the other participants can be quickly

informed and take the necessary steps in line with NHS Test and Trace guidelines

When asked by NHS contact tracers, coaches, leaders and club volunteers are

permitted to share details of participants where relevant to support the process.

When informing other participants, a club, leader or coach should not name the

person who tested positive when informing others in order to protect their privacy,

unless there is a specific reason as to why they need to do so.